I came across Ultralight Adventure Equipment's website and was wondering if anybody had experience with them: http://www.ula-equipment.com/

Their packs aren't as light as others I've seen, but they sound like they may be rugged enough for the offtrail hiking that I often do. They have one model I like that has sleeve lets you use a sleeping pad as back padding. Their larger models can hold bear canisters, which says something about thier capacities.

A quick TLB search will reveal lots of info about ULA packs. I think Brian and his products are well regarded here.

I have an Amp. It works very well for me within the constraints of its design.

Check out the reader reviews section on the tlb forums, there are quite a few ula pack reviews on there.

No direct experience but i will say that ULA was the pack of choice on the JMT (2 years ago). Everyone I queried really liked them. If i were in the market for longer trips (7+ days) I'd buy that Catalyst. It looks very similar to the Mountainsmith Auspex (discontnued) that I currenty use.

Interesting note: I didn't see any Granite Gear packs when I was on the JMT....

I have a Fusion and a Conduit. The Conduit is my pack of choice, and I wouldn't hesitate on taking the dyneema packs of his off trail. Very stout.

I have a Catalyst. I like it.

Like Hooty, I've also got the Catalyst...it's great. I even use it on two or three day hunts when a day pack won't do. It's a great pack, carrys well and is very durable. It's definitely one of the solid ones.

That is a shame because they are some of lightest (in regards to comfort) packs on the market. They are also some of the more durable ultralight packs as well. The thru hike where they are far more dominant is on the AT. Because GGR is located in the midwest (Minnesota), much of their focus has been here. GGR packs are also hard to find in California.

I like ULA. I think they are well made and have a unique product in a very saturated market. My personal opinion is that the two best thru hike pack brands are Granite Gear and ULA based, not just on weight, but on comfort and durability. Versatility has also been consideration in forming this opinion. I've carried the Nimbus Meridian to some pretty rough places (i.e. Wind Rivers when climbing Gannett Peak) and have been super impressed with it's durability. I'm taking it to Equador to climb Cotopaxi and Chimberazo this next week. I have total confidence in it and find it to be one of the most comfortable packs I've ever worn.

I used a G.G. Vapor Trail on my '06 JMT thruhike. It's the most comfortable pack I own, even when loaded beyond its design limit.

The only reason why I'm not using it on the JMT this year is because I discovered that I can get away with a smaller, lighter design.

My Catalyst is my beast pack. It carried my bear-cannister load in areas where that is a requirement and is my preferred Winter pack. I also love it when hiking with my fiancee, when I need to carry some extra gear. It has the best hipbelt design I have used.

Sounds like they're a good buy. I completely forgot about the gear review section. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> Their Catalyst sounds similar to my old Mountainsmith Ghost, which is starting to get pretty rough around the edges, so to speak. That pack was the envy of my "normal" weight hiking friends, and I've taken it through soooo much brush that I'm surprised it hasn't exploded its contents everywhere yet. It's nice having a pack that will go anywhere. Ah, memories... I'm glad there's still a pack out there that fills the tough-yet-light role.

I also used a vapor trail for a 5 week thru hike of a part of the GR 5, Geneva - Switserkand to Nice - France, through the alps and had slight probs with most of the buckles. They kept loosening slightly so i had to pull'em tight rather frequently.